Egypt ranks 9th worldwide in FDI
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Egypt has secured 9th place globally and 1st in Africa among top investment destinations, with foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows reaching $46.1 billion in the 2023–2024 fiscal year. The announcement came from Hossam Heiba, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), during the Egypt–Bahrain Business Forum in Cairo.
Strong fundamentals drive investor interest
Heiba attributed Egypt’s success to a combination of strategic advantages: a workforce of more than 32 million, a diverse economic base, competitive tax incentives, and modern infrastructure. Equally important, Egypt’s network of trade agreements now spans nearly 70 countries, giving investors access to almost 3 billion consumers across global markets.
Tailored investment frameworks support growth
GAFI’s strategy, Heiba explained, focuses on offering sector-specific services and incentives. This approach is designed to align with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade’s broader target of increasing Egypt’s exports to $140 billion by 2030. To facilitate investor engagement, Egypt has listed more than 1,200 projects on its official investment map, covering industries from manufacturing to services.
Bahrain sees opportunity in Egypt
The forum also underscored regional interest in Egypt’s investment landscape. Samir Nass, Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Bahraini businesses are actively monitoring Egypt’s climate. He highlighted growing interest in joint ventures in healthcare, education, digital transformation, and financial services—fields where Bahrain offers expertise and competitive strength.
SCZONE emerges as a major hub
Adding to Egypt’s investment appeal, Walid Gamal El-Din, Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), pointed to the zone’s success in attracting both local and international investors. Since 2015, the SCZONE has secured 311 projects worth $10.2 billion, including $6 billion in new agreements signed over the last 14 months. The zone’s integrated ecosystem of manufacturing, logistics, and services is positioning it as a cornerstone of Egypt’s long-term growth strategy.
Confidence signals a new phase
The combination of record-high FDI inflows, strong regional interest, and a pipeline of transformative projects indicates that Egypt is entering a new phase of investment momentum. The challenge ahead lies in sustaining reforms, ensuring political stability, and converting MoUs and mapped projects into tangible, job-creating ventures.